Inova Health System Offering Seasonal Flu Shots One Month Early

Vaccine Highly Recommended for Children, Seniors

Falls Church, VA – (September 1, 2009) – Inova Health System will offer influenza vaccinations to children and adults throughout the Washington region beginning in early September, one month sooner than usual. Each year, about 36,000 people in the U.S. die from causes related to seasonal flu, while more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications related to the disease. An annual flu vaccination is safe and convenient, and can be up to 90 percent effective in protecting against influenza.

Persons at high risk for serious complications from seasonal influenza include:

• Children six months to 5 years of age
• Adults 50 and over
• Adults and children who have medical conditions that lower the body’s immune system, such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and HIV, among others
• Persons who live in, work at or have contact with anyone in institutions, such as schools, nursing homes and/or hospitals
• Women who are pregnant in any trimester, or who may deliver during flu season

The cost for the seasonal flu shot is $25 per person (cash or check accepted). Seniors with a valid Medicare card can also receive a flu shot. Inova also will offer H1N1 flu shots to the public in accordance with federal government guidelines once the vaccine becomes available.

For more information about immunizations and other flu-related services offered by Inova, call 703-750-8818 (or call 1-877-895-5BUG, toll-free, if a call to the 703 area code is a long-distance call) or visit inova.org/flu.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.